Record turnout sees 96 golfers brave the elements in support of local healthcare charities
A CHARITY golf day in Carmarthenshire has raised more than £1,380 for NHS mental health and veterans’ services after attracting its largest-ever field of players.
The fourth annual fundraising event, organised by Andrew Homfray, raised £1,383 for Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Integrated Psychological Therapies Service and Veterans NHS Wales.
Held at Carmarthen Golf Club and Driving Range on April 17, the event brought together 24 teams and 96 golfers, despite challenging weather conditions throughout the day.
Mr Homfray, Interim Service Delivery Manager for the Integrated Psychological Therapies Service at Hywel Dda, said the event had gone from strength to strength.
“Last week saw our annual Veterans NHS Wales Charity Golf Day,” he said.
“The aim, as always, was to raise funds for future investment in key items to help improve engagement with our veteran community — and to see whether waterproofs really are waterproof.
“This year was our biggest event to date, with an impressive 24 teams signed up and ready to go. I think it’s fair to say every golfer experienced the full Carmarthenshire weather package at some point during their round.”
One of the highlights of the day was the now-famous “Wheel of Fortune” challenge on the ninth hole, where players were required to spin a wheel to determine which club they would use on the short par-three hole.
Mr Homfray said the challenge produced some memorable moments and plenty of laughs.
He also paid tribute to volunteers and sponsors who helped make the event a success, including Sarah Shute and Layla Sahami-Devon for their support on the course, Stevie Clarke Carpentry for sponsoring competitions, and family members Nia and Bethan Homfray for assisting with registrations and administration.
Special thanks were also given to Andrew Seabourne and Paul Hayler for overseeing the scoring process, as well as Carmarthen Golf Club for hosting the event.
“Thank you to everyone who braved the conditions, to the local community for their generous raffle donations, and to Carmarthen Golf Club for hosting us once again,” he said.
“We are already looking ahead to next year, aiming to be bigger and better — and optimistic that the weather might choose to be slightly more cooperative.”
The next charity golf day is already being planned for April 16, 2027.
Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, praised the continued support shown by organisers and participants.
“We’d like to say a massive thank you to Andrew for organising his fourth fantastic golf day in aid of our charity,” she said.
“Year after year, his commitment and enthusiasm bring people together for a great cause.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide across the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
